This post may contain affiliate links. To learn more visit my affiliate disclosure statement page.
How Do You Brush Your Dog’s Teeth for the First Time?
Do you even need to brush your dog’s teeth? Dental health care is as important for dogs as it is for us. Your dog’s mouth is full of bacteria that can lead to tartar and plaque buildup on his or her teeth. This can lead to infections and health problems down the road.
Your canine friend can have many of the same problems as humans, from bad breath to infections to gum disease. You can prevent these issues with daily or three times weekly brushing. Brushing your dog’s teeth will also save you from the notoriously bad dog breath.
It might seem silly that you would have to brush your pet’s teeth, but it will save you from seeing your pet in pain and from costly veterinarian bills in the long run. Professional dental cleaning for your dog is costly. They have to put your pet under anesthesia, so this is recommended to do only annually.
What do you need to brush your dog’s teeth?
There are several products on the market for dental care for your dog. Everything from dog toothbrushes to poultry flavored toothpaste to special toys that help with your canine’s dental health. There’s no excuses! Brush your dog’s teeth!
It is recommended to use a toothbrush specially designed for dogs. If you do not have one, you can also use your finger or a soft children’s brush.
It is advised that you use toothpaste for dogs. Do not use the same toothpaste that you use or baking soda, as these can be tough on your pet’s stomach. They will swallow the paste in brushing because they do not know how to spit it out, so you want to protect their gut health by choosing the right toothpaste.
Other products are not necessary but can be fun. There are toys where you can put dog toothpaste in holes and crevasses, and the dog can lick the paste out. These are helpful if your dog is not taking to the idea of brushing their teeth. They will soon get used to the paste taste, and you can ease them into the process.
How to brush your dog’s teeth for the first time when you haven’t done it before:
Brushing your dog’s teeth for the first time does not have to be difficult. You can either ease your dog into the process, or you can go ahead and brush. If you have a new puppy, start right away. If your dog is older, it might be a bit of a learning curve for both you and your dog. You can start with the dental care toys mentioned above. Or you can start by letting them lick the paste off your finger.
While you are going through the process, make sure you give your pet many positive affirmations and cuddles. This will show them that this process is positive, and they will start to adapt. You can start by rubbing the dog’s toothpaste on their teeth and gums with your finger. Use one hand to push the lips away from the teeth and the other hand to rub their teeth and gums. They will start to understand the sensation.
Your dog might resist at first but continue with the positive affirmations. If your dog is totally resistant, give up for today and try again tomorrow from the beginning.
When you think your dog has gotten used to the sensation, you can switch to the dog toothbrush or the soft children’s toothbrush. It can actually take a week or two for your dog to start to comply with teeth brushing.
Be patient and keep on trying. Consider playing calming music to encourage relaxation. Ensure that you brush the outer side of the teeth and the gums and include the cheeks’ insides. This will make sure that you are removing the most bacteria that you can.
Get into a Routine to Regularly Brush Your Dog’s Teeth
Once you and your dog get into the routine of regular teeth brushing, it is a rather simple process. Keep up with regular brushing for the best result. It only takes a few minutes. Your little buddy will thank you -and so will your wallet while you avoid dreadful complications from poor dental hygiene. Brushing your dog’s teeth is like keeping a little insurance against dental disease.
Keep an eye out for new grooming skills articles soon!
